Question : Functioning of Pre-Primary-Play Schools

(a) whether the Government has envisaged any mechanism to monitor the functioning of primary schools, play schools and day care centres for the welfare of children and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has taken note that the fee levied in such schools/ centres are exorbitant and if so, the corrective action taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government proposes to improve the standard of Anganwadis in the country and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the action taken by the Government to provide nutritious food to children in pre-primary level, play school level and Anganwadis; and
(e) whether the Government provides financial assistance to States/UTs for improving the infrastructure of Anganwadis and if so, the details thereof indicating funds provided therefor during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise with special reference to Uttar Pradesh?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

(a) & (b): Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a unique early childhood development program aimed at addressing health, nutrition and developmental needs of children under the age of six years. Pre-primary School Education through play-way method is one of the services provided under the scheme. The National Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Policy, as notified on 12th October, 2013, recognizes multiple models of ECCE services delivery through public, private, and non-governmental service providers including Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), play schools, pre-schools, etc. Day Care Centres are provided under Crèche scheme administrated by Ministry of Women and Child Development. Public channel is the largest provider of ECCE services through ICDS Scheme as implemented by States / UTs.

Under ICDS Scheme, universal and free services relating to health, nutrition and early childhood care and education are provided through 13.50 Lakh operational Anganwadi Centres across the country.







(c): The policy lays down basic quality standards relating to building and infrastructure, pupil-teacher interaction, learning experiences planned for children, health, nutrition, protection measures and trained staff.

Further, to improve the infrastructure facilities including drinking water facilities and sanitation of Anganwadi Centres, guidelines have been issued jointly by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Women and Child Development for construction of 4 lakh AWCs Buildings under convergence by 2019, all over the country. Under convergence, construction of 29,941 and 90,048 AWC buildings have been approved during the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively.

(d): Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) is one of the six services provided through Anganwadis under ICDS Scheme. Under Supplementary Nutrition Programme, children below 3 years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers are provided age appropriate Take Home Ration (THR) in the form of pre-mixes/ ready-to-eat food. For children in the age group of 3-6 years, morning snacks in the form of milk/ banana/ seasonal fruits/ micro-nutrient fortified food followed by a hot cooked meal are provided. Besides, for severely malnourished children in the age group of 6 months to 6 years, additional food items in the form of micronutrient fortified food and/ or energy dense food as THR have been recommended. The feeding and nutritional norms for different categories of beneficiaries is as under:

S. No. Category Feeding & nutritional norms (per beneficiary per day
for 25 days a month)
Calories (K Cal) Protein (g)
1. Children (6-72 months) 500 12-15
2. Severely malnourished
children (6-72 months) 800 20-25
3. Pregnant women and
Lactating mothers 600 18-20


(e): State/UT-wise details of funds expended during last three years and funds released during current year are annexed.




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